Signaling device



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flTT RNEYS Nov. 13, 1928. 1,691,215

- W. SPARKS ET AL S IGNALING DEVICE Filed May 18, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR HLJZLAM xfz iho l LWM Nov. 13, 1928. 1,691,215

w. SPARKS ET AL SIGNALING DEVICE Filed May 18, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM SPARKS, THEODORE JOHNSON SCOFIELD, LLOYD ELMER JOHNSON, AND

FRED WILLIAM BILLIG, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOBS TO THE SPARKS- WITHINGTON COMPANY, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

SIGNALING DEVICE.

Application filed May 18,

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in signaling devices.

The main object of the invention is the production-of a novel signaling device particularly designed for use on automobiles, motor boats and the like, and capable of producing acomparatively loud signal that will carry long distances and is of a musical tone or combination of musical tones, preferably of a harmonious character.

More detailed objects relate to the simplicity and strength of the structure and the detailed form, arrangement and association of the parts thereof, all as will more fully appear from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a top plan View of a-device of this invention.

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a section on line 33, Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary section through the diaphragm casings or chambers in the upper portion of the structure of the device.

Figure 5 is a section through the end portions of the projectors.-

Figure 6 is a sect-ion on line 6-6, Figure 2.

The structure as herein illustrated consists of a rotary electric motor 1 having its armature shaft substantially vertically disposed and the upper end wall -2 of the case of the motor isof substantially circular form and provided with a depending tubular boss 3 in which the upper end of the armature shaft l is journaled. v

The lower end of the armature shaft 4 extends through an opening in the U-sha-ped case -7 and may be provided with an adjustable bearing 5- carried by the end or cross-wall 6 of the U-shaped motor case 7-. The ends of the U-shaped motor case 7 are secured to the flanges 8- and 9 respectively formed upon the upper end wall 2. The usual armature -10, pole pieces 11 and field coils 12- are provided.

The actual structure of the motor may vary widely, the essential being a means for producing rotary movement, and any form of electric motor may be utilized which is capable of driving a rotary compressor which constitutes a portion-of the device, and for this purpose the end wall or head 2- is formed with a circular chamber or cylinder 1927.- Serial No. 192,330.

-14- on the side opposite the electric motor -1, and this cylindrical recess or chamber 1s eccentric with respect to the armature shaft -4, and to the rotor shaft -15- which is aligned with the armature shaft 4, and may be connected to therotor -13 in any suitable manner, as for instance formed integrally with the rotor.

The rotor shaft extends into and is journaled in the boss 8- and may terminate a short distance above the upper end of the armature shaft 4, and is connected to the armature shaft for simultaneous rotary movement, while permitting relative longitudinal movement in an suitable manner, as by a key extending into slots formed in the adjacent ends of the rotary shaft, and the armature shaft for locking the two against relative rotary movement, the key being positioned at an intermediate point along the bearing 3.

In effect, the rotor shaft '3 and the armature shaft -etare a sectional armature shaft and for the purpose of the claims of this application may be so considered.

The armature shaft being concentric with the end head 2 and the rotor 13 being concentric with the armature shaft, the rotor is eccentric ally positionedin the cylinder or chamber 14 by reason of the fact that the said cylinder is formed eccentrically in the end head. I

The end head 2 is further formed with an air'storage chamber 17, in this instance arranged concentrically with the wall of the cylindrical chamber -l4: and extending around the cylindrical chamber throughout slightly more than one-half of its circumference. This storage chamber is in communication with the pressure side of the rotary pump through a port l '8 in the wall of the chamber -14:, and through this port air under pressure is ejected by the rotor -13- from the chamber 14- and for effecting this result the rotor -13 ineludes one or more, in this instance three movable blades -19 slidably mountedin grooves or recesses in the rotor, and preferably spaced equal distances apart and adapted to be thrown out by centrifugal force as the rotor -13 is driven by the armature shaft 4.

The compressor chamber -14-- is formed with an air inlet '20- at the suction side of the compressor, and which air inlet penetrates the bottom wall of the compressor chamber and leads into the casing -51 which encloses the electric motor 1. This casing is usually imperforate and for the purpose of admitting air to its interior, it is formed with a struck-up portion 52 in terrupting the continuity of the casing wall and forming a passageway -53leading to a passageway 54 through the flange 55 on the end head 2, whereby air may be freely supplied to the inlet 20 of the compressor and without the production of vacuum within the casing -51.

Mounted upon the upper end of the head 2 and covering the compressor chamber 1 L and the storage chamber 17 is a horn body 56 secured to the head 2 in any suitable manner, as by screws -57, suitable packing being interposed between the body and the head to prevent the escape of air when compressed. The body 56 is formed at its opposite sides with two vertical conduits or passageways 58 preferably of similar form and shape, and leading to two longitudinal conduits formed in the bosses 59 likewise of similar form and shape.

The structure here illustrated is designed to include two sound-producing structures, and except for the length of the projectors 60 these sound-producing devices are of similar form, shape and structure, and a description of one constitutes a description of both. The projectors 60 differ in this illustration in that one of them is somewhatlonger than the otherfor the purpose of producing different notes which by suitable adjustment of the devices can be made harmonious in character.

In each case the projector 60 has its rear end threaded into the front end of one of the bosses 59 on the horn body and a tube 61 is threaded into the boss so as to substantially contact with the rear end of the projector 60, and this tube projects rearwardly from the boss -59.

Each boss -59 has a circumferentially enlarged intermediate portion forming an annular chamber 62 surrounding the tube 61 and in communication with the respective conduits 58. The rear end of each boss is internally enlarged with respect to the front end-and is threaded for the reception of an externally threaded tubular boss 63 formed concentrically at the base of a cup-shaped member 64: which may be locked in any desired position with respect to boss 59 by means of lock nut 65.

The internal diameter of the boss 63 is somewhat greater than the external diameter of the tube 61 so as to form an annular passageway around the tube leading from chamber 62 to the interior of the on shape member 64. The external wall of the cup-shape member -64 is externally threaded for cooperative engagement with the interiorly threaded flange upon a cupshape cap 66 and this cap -66 is formed with a radial shoulder 67 between which and the end of the cup-shape member 64- a thin metallic diaphragm 68 has its edge confined.

The size and arrangement of the parts is such that when the diaphragm is positioned, as described, it extends across and normally closes the rear open end of the tube -61- and preferably the rear open end of tube 61. is flared, as indicated at 69.

It is found that the air in the chamber between the diaphragm -68- and the cap 66 varies in pressure somewhat in accordance with the temperature to which the device is, subjected, thereby varying the pressure upon the diaphragm 68 which in turn effects the operation of the signaling device, and in order to maintain the device uni form in operation, the cap 66 is provided with one or more openings 70 leading to the chamber between the diaphragm and the cap to permit the entrance of air to or the exit of air from said chamber to maintain a normal pressure, irrespective of temperature changes.

These openings may, if desired, be covered on the inside by plate -71 and on the outside by disk 72 for appearance sake so long as sufficient space is provided, as for instance by small grooves or passageways 73 for the escape or entrance of air.

In operation, when the armature shaft is rotated, air entering through inlet 20 is compressed and ejected through outlet -18 into storage chamber -17-, and thence passes thru conduits 58- to the respective chamber 62 and thence through annular passageways -75 to the interior of the cup-shape member 64 into contact with the front side of diaphragm --68- whereby diaphragm -68- is caused to move slightly rearwardly to permit the escape of the air through the tube -61-.

The resiliency of the diaphragm and the variation in pressure, due to the escape of air, returns the diaphragm to the position where it closes-or substantially closes the inlet to tube 61, and the operation is then repeated, thereby causing a rapid vibration of the diaphragm over the mouth of the tube 61, producing and causing the projectors to emit a musical tone. The spacing and supporting member -76 may be interposed between the end of the shorter projector 60 and an intermediate portion of the latter, and this spacing and supporting member may be formed with a groove for receivingjhe edge of the shorter projector and with an inclined surface conforming to the external wall of the longitudinal projector.

By adjusting the cup-shape member .64

in the boss-59 a proper positioning of the diaphragm -68 can be eflected to produce the desired note, and the member 64 may then be locked in place by lock nut 65.

The horn body 56- is provided with a lubricant chamber 90' reduced at its lower end to form a constricted passageway leading to the compressor-chamber 14 and this chamber is preferably filled or partially filled with a lubricant absorbing and retaining means, as for instance, felt or wicking 9l and the upper end of the chamber is normally closed by a removable screw 92. In order to maintain proper lubrication of the 1 compressor and motor it is only necessary 'to remove the screw 9Q and place lubricant in the chamber 90 from which lubricant is fed, as required, to the compressor. The chamber 90 as here shown, is intermediate the bosses -59 And altho we have shown and described a specific structure as constituting the perhaps preferred embodiment of the invention, we do not desire to restrict ourselves to the details of 4 form, construction or arrangement of the parts thereof, except as the same may be specifically included in the claims hereto appended.

We claim: 1. A signaling device comprising a motor, a rotary compressor driven thereby, a horn body having a passageway in communication with the pressure side of the compressor and formed at its upper endwith a tubular boss, a projector having its rear end mounted in said boss, a tube mounted in the boss, a diaphragm chamber mounted in the boss and spaced from the exterior wall of the tube to form an annular passageway, a diaphragm in said chamber extending'across the end of said tube, and means for maintaining atmospheric pressure on the side of the diaphragm opposite the tube.

2. A signaling device comprising a motor, a rotary compressor driven thereby, a horn body having a passageway in communication with the pressure side of the compressor and formed at its upper end with a tubular boss, a projector having its rear end mounted in said boss, a tube mounted inthe boss, a diaphragm chamber mounted in the boss and spaced from the exterior wall of the tube to form an annular pasageway, an imperforate diaphragm in saidchamber extending across the end of said tube, and means for maintaining atmospheric pressure on the side of the diaphragm opposite the tube.

3. A signaling device comprising a motor, a rotary compressor driven thereby, a horn body mounted on the compressor and having a passageway in communication with the pressure side of said compressor, said horn body formed at its upper portion with a pair of spaced tubular bosses, projectors of different length mounted in the bosses and extending forwardly from the horn body, tubes mounted in respective bosses and extending rearwardly from the projectors to a point beyond the bosses, diaphragm chambers secured to respective bosses and in communication with the passageway through the horn body and positioned at the rear of the bosses, and diaphragms in respective diaphragm chambers extending across the rear end of said'tubes.

4. A signaling device comprising a motor, a rotary compressor driven thereby, a horn body having a passageway in communication with the pressure side of the compressor and terminating at its upper end in a transverse tubular boss, a projector mounted in said boss and in communication with said passage way, a cup-shape body threaded into the boss and in communication with the projector, a tube mounted in the boss and extending rear- 'wardly into the cup-shape body, a cap threaded on to the cup shape body and a diaphragm positioned between the cup-shape body and the cap and extending across the rear end ofsaid tube.

' 5. A signaling device comprising a motor, a rotary compressor driven thereby, a horn body having a passageway in communica-.

tion with the pressure side of the compressor and terminating at its upper end in a transverse tubularvboss, a projector mounted in said boss and in communication with said passageway, a cup-shape body threaded into the boss and in communication with the proj ector, a tube mounted in the boss and extending rearwardly into the cup-shape body, a cap threaded on to the cup-shape body, a diaphragm positioned between the cup-shape body and the cap and extending acrossthe rear end of said tube, and means for maintaining atmospheric pressure at the rear side of the diaphragm.

6. A signaling device comprising a motor having a casing including an end wall, said end wall formed with a cylindrical recess constituting a compressor chamber, a rotor mounted in said chamber, a'storage chamber partially surrounding the compressor chamber, and in communication with the pressure side of the compressor, a case enclosinglthe motor and an opening leading through the base of the compressor chamber to the interior of said case, said case formed with an opening permitting the entry of air to the chamber within it, and a' fluid actuated signaling device in communication with said storage chamber. 1

7. A signaling device comprising an electric motor, a rotary compressor including a axis disposed at right angles to the axis of the armature shaft, a tubular member mounttric motor, a rotary compressor including a a rotor mounted upon the armature shaft of said electric motor, a horn body mounted upon the compressor case and formed at its upper end with a tubular boss, a projector mounted in said tubular boss and having its axis disposed at right angles to the axis of the armature shaft, a tubular member mounted in the horn body, a diaphragm case having a tubular extension adjustably mounted in said boss and spaced radially from the said tube mounted in said boss, a diaphragm mounted in said diaphragm chamber and ad'- justable toward and from the end of said tube by rotary movement of said diaphragm case, means for locking the diaphragm case in predetermined position, an air storage chamber around the compressor chamber and in communication therewith, and means of communication between the storage chamber and the diaphragm chamber through said tubular boss and the annular space between the tube mounted in the tubular boss and the tubular extension on the diaphragm case.

9. A horn comprising a rotary motor provided with a front wall having a bearing for an armature shaft, said front wall including a rotor chamber eccentric with respect to said bearing, an armature shaft j ournaled in said bearing, a rotor in said chamber and connected to the armature shaft, a storage chamber partially surrounding the rotor chamber and in communication therewith.

10. A horn comprising a fluid compressor including a rotor chamber and a rotor arranged therein, a storage chamber partially encircling the rotor chamber and in communication solely with the high pressure side of the compressor, and an air resonant device in communication with the storage chamber.

11. A horn comprising a rotary motor provided with a front wall having a bearing for an armature shaft, said front wall including a rotor chamber eccentric with respect to said bearing, an armature shaft ournaled in said bearing, a rotor in said chamber and connected to the armature shaft, and a storage chamber in communication with the rotor chamber.

12. A signaling device comprising an electric motor, a rotary compressor including a rotor mounted upon the armature shaft of said electric motor, a horn body mounted chamber eccentric with respect to said bearing, an armature shaft ournaled in said bearing, a rotor in said chamber and connected to the armature shaft, an electric motor including said armature shaft, an auxiliary chamber in communication with the rotor chamber, a horn body mounted on the casing, a projector mounted in said horn body, a tubular member mounted in the horn body, a diaphragm case having a tubular extension adjustably mounted in said horn body and spaced from the said tube mounted in said horn body, a diaphragm mounted in said diaphragm chamber and adjustable toward and from the end of said tube, and means for locking the diaphragm case in predetermined position.

14:. A signaling device comprising a front wall, a bearing for an armature shaft in the front wall, said front wall including a. rotor chamber eccentric with respect to said bearing, an armature shaft j ournaled in said bearing, a rotor in said chamber and connected to the armature shaft, an electric motor including said-armature shaft, an auxiliary chamber in communication with the" rotor chamber, a horn body mounted on the casing, a

' projector mounted in said horn body, a tubular member mounted in the horn body, a diaphragm case having a tubular extension adjustably mounted in said horn body and spaced from the said tube mounted in said horn body, a diaphragm mounted in said diaphragm chamber and adjustable toward and from the end of said tube, means for locking the diaphragm case in predetermined position, and means of communication between the auxiliary chamber and the diaphragm chamber.

15. A pneumatic signaling device comprising a casting having a pair of projecting flanges and a cylindrical recess formed in the center to produce a rotor chamber, a U-shaped case having its' ends secured respectively to said flanges, an armature shaft journaled in the'U-shaped frame and said casting, a rotor in the rotor chamber connected to said armature shaft, a distributing chamber in said casting at one side of the rotor chamber, a horn body including a tubular portion, a projector mounted in said tubular portion, a tube positioned in and extending rearwardly from llH) said tubular portion, a diaphragm, casing having a tubular extension threaded into said tubular portion and surrounding and spaced from a portion of said tube, a diaphragm in said chamber extending across the mouth of the tube, and means for locking the diaphragm case with respect to the tubular portion" f 16. pneumatic signaling device comprising a r tary electric motor, a rotor chamber,

"a rotor therein connected to the armature shaft of said motor, a distributing chamber a horn body a projector a tube posiincluding a tubular portion, mounted in said tubular portion,

tioned in and extending rearwardly from said tubular portion, a diaphragm casing having a tubular extension threaded into said a diaphragm in In witness whereof we have hereunto set 25 our hands this 9thday of May, 1927.

WM. SPARKS. I THEODORE JOHNSON SCOFIELD. LLOYD ELMER JOHNSON.

I FRED WILLIAM BILLIG. 

